(Newser)
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After 15 hours of questioning yesterday, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy emerged as the star of his very own formal investigation into allegations that he peddled influence. It's a staggering turn of events Le Figaro calls a "shock wave," and an unprecedented one for a former French president, notes the BBC—particularly as Sarkozy had his eye on a political comeback. Sarkozy appeared before a judge last night; the judge will now determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant charges. France also opened formal investigations against Sarkozy's lawyer and a prosecutor.